The Malwa Kabir Yatra is an annual folk music festival held in India that celebrates musicians from all over the country. It has gained international attention, with viewers from different countries coming to watch the festival. The yatra lasts for 5 days and takes place in various locations, starting from Luniya Khedi, Ujjain since its inception in 1996. The festival is the brainchild of Padmashri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya and his family.

AAGAUR has been responsible for creating the stages for a festival over the past two years. Each day of the festival has a different concept, and AAGAUR has used sustainable materials that are easily accessible to bring these concepts to life. The stage designs not only serve as a source of entertainment but also offer educational value. With the project being on a tight schedule, the team has to work quickly and creatively to create five stages in just five days.

From a materials and design perspective, AAGAUR utilizes waste and natural materials like bamboo, dung, Safa (cotton headgear), and Bora (jute bags/sacks) to construct the stages. While the organizers provided the tents, everything else needed to be done immediately. The project relies heavily on creativity.

The Yatra always starts from Luniyakhedi, and the locations for this particular Yatra were Pachore, Agar, Sajapur, and Indore. Each location influenced the design and had specific elements incorporated into it. For example, at Pachore, the stage incorporated Safa as the backdrop, collected from the villagers. The stage platform was painted with yellow mud and cow dung, adorned with Warli art.

At Agar, a combination of bamboo and jute was used. The bamboo backdrop was complemented by jute threads, giving it a curtain-like appearance. Terracotta matkas (pots) were hung from the ceiling, painted with white chalk, and mini bamboo nest-shaped baskets were used as a light source for the lower stage.

The Sajapur stage benefited from the presence of trees. AAGAUR utilized a tree with thin foliage to create a chandelier effect. Paper birds and bamboo birds were placed on the tree, and the same sackcloth used in Pachore and Agar was repurposed. This consistency in design elements throughout the festival created a cohesive flow.

In Indore, the stage design focused on creating an intimate seating plan indoors. The logo was covered with Safa and bamboo baskets, and a minimal tambur painting served as the backdrop. The simplicity of this design choice enhanced the ambiance, creating a more intimate and soulful space to enjoy the music.

Overall, AAGAUR's stage designs for the festival encompass creativity, sustainability, and cultural elements, resulting in visually appealing and educational experiences for festival-goers.

Volunteers involved - Shruti, Mantash Band Delhi, Isha Shandilya, Nipun Prabhakar